This concept has been developed in close co-operation with the youth directorate of the council of europe. The european youth centre and the european youth foundation of the council of europe have produced several good guides that suggest practical methods to be used for workshops and plenary at conferences and other events.Cognitive learning objectives these institutes have also developed several interesting guides for project management that take the principles of intercultural learning to heart.Cognitive learning objectives international preparatory group

The members of the international preparatory group (IPG) change each time from conference to conference. The IPG consists of experienced and less experienced activists from different regions of europe and different organisational backgrounds.Cognitive learning objectives most are somehow involved with UNITED campaigns or other activities. They are asked to answer questions such as: how can we translate the main line of the conference into different themes and issues, what methods should be used in the workshops, who should lead the workshops/plenary sessions, what should the participants’ profile be (except for obvious profile characteristics such as gender equality and geographical balance).Cognitive learning objectives they are responsible for the day to day running of the conference, together with the secretariat. The function of a conference in the work of the UNITED network

cognitive learning objectives

A conference theme is chosen on the basis of the communication between the secretariat and the network organisations, which is going on constantly.Cognitive learning objectives the conference is prepared by a group of organisations that have been active. A ‘general rapporteur’ will be asked to take the responsibility of reporting on the conference, helped by the rapporteurs of the working groups and by the organising team.Cognitive learning objectives this report is produced right after the conference. It is distributed to the full mailing list, containing over 2500 addresses, and is made freely available on internet.Cognitive learning objectives

Conferences of the UNITED network are each time in a different country. The country is chosen in response to the needs of the network. For example, the conference in dresden gave organisations in east germany a chance to introduce more topics that are of concern to them, including the rise of neo-nazi movement.Cognitive learning objectives the conference in poland gave the possibility of bringing up the issue of antifascism youth work. In st petersburg we addressed the need of organisations in the network to work on the problems related to the changing ideas about national identity and consequently the flaring nationalism in the region.Cognitive learning objectives as a member of the IPG put it: “they need to know that they are not alone in their struggle”.

Participants of the UNITED conferences ‘rotate’.Cognitive learning objectives each conference there is only a small amount of participants that have attended more than one UNITED event previously. The network is very large and needs to make sure that all have a chance to work within it.Cognitive learning objectives the participant’s profile for the rieti conference, for example: “participants should represent (inter)national anti-racist and human rights organisations, active grass-roots groups from all over europe are also invited.Cognitive learning objectives priority will be given to nominations from minority/migrant delegates, and media organisations. Preference is given to those organisations that actively take part in UNITED campaigns.Cognitive learning objectives participants should act as multipliers, spreading the information to as many people as possible. We will try to reach an equal balance of female/male participants and good geographical distribution.Cognitive learning objectives each organisation can nominate only 1 delegate.”

UNITED conferences have a standard length of six days, including arrival and departure day. Their aim is to strengthen the movement against discrimination.Cognitive learning objectives they are set up to make sure that there is a concrete follow-up, a ‘multiplying effect’ and ‘synergy’. Learning takes the form of cognitive learning, emotional learning and behavioral learning.Cognitive learning objectives UNITED conferences use all three methods. Emotional learning is stimulated through working with people in a safe environment. Cognitive learning is stimulated by presentations and lectures as well as plentiful written material to take home and study later.Cognitive learning objectives behavioral learning is taking place in the practical ‘training working groups’ as well as the planning/campaigning working groups. Conferences are often roughly summarised as ‘information, training, campaigning’.Cognitive learning objectives day 1

On the first day, the first part of the day is taken up by meetings with the international preparatory group (IPG) and with the working group leaders / chairpersons.Cognitive learning objectives when participants arrive they register and fill out some paperwork. This first day is used to get to know people in an informal manner. Methods used are, among others, ‘games’ such as “breaking the blocks” and “interview game”.Cognitive learning objectives day 2

In the morning the programme, the team, UNITED and local partner are presented. All participants are asked to briefly state their name, organization and provenience country.Cognitive learning objectives the second part of the morning is used for the workshop “the danger of words”. This working group gives people a change to come to a common understanding of many of the concepts that will be used during the conference.Cognitive learning objectives they can get a variety of meanings when used in different countries and by people with different backgrounds. This is done on the basis of the UNITED information leaflet “the danger of words: definitions of concepts most used in anti-discrimination work” (see attached leaflet).Cognitive learning objectives participants are not expected to come to a common definition but to discuss the different interpretations of these concepts.

The third day is used for an exchange of experiences and for training.Cognitive learning objectives participants present their work against intolerance and their methods and react to each other’s presentations. An often used method includes the presentation of a ‘case study’.Cognitive learning objectives participants are asked to find solutions for the problems presented using their experience of successes and failures.

On the fourth day the skills and knowledge that have been accumulated will serve as a basis for the development of (common) action and activities.Cognitive learning objectives participants are encouraged to work out (for example) a campaign, including ideas for campaign materials and ways of approaching the media. They will present their plans to the plenary, where more discussion takes place.Cognitive learning objectives participants can ‘register’ to be part of one project or another and will receive contact addresses or other information to pursue their plans.Cognitive learning objectives

On this day a presentation in plenary will contain good practice examples of past actions against intolerance. The presentation is followed by discussion and debate.Cognitive learning objectives the last part of the day is dedicated to an ‘open forum’ where participants can make presentations that they feel have been missing in the programme, bring up a specific topic from their work, provide concrete information, etc.Cognitive learning objectives

On the fifth day the conference is closed with an exciting and new insight on the topic in plenary. Afterwards a discussion takes place. The last day also contains time for discussion on concrete ideas for follow-up, plans for common activities and campaigns.Cognitive learning objectives evaluation takes place in (at least) three ways: a visual, an oral and a written way. Evaluation

Evaluation takes place at the conference itself.Cognitive learning objectives participants are asked to express their opinion. A second evaluation takes place by the international preparatory group that prepared the conference.Cognitive learning objectives A third evaluation takes place within the team working at the secretariat. It is only in this third evaluation that the long-term effects can be assessed.Cognitive learning objectives